2026 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘Gigi’ Director Cynthia Calvi

Welcome to Cartoon Brew’s series of spotlights focusing on the animated shorts that have qualified for the 2026 Oscars. The films in this series have qualified through one of multiple routes: by winning an Oscar-qualifying award at a film festival, by exhibiting theatrically, or by winning a Student Academy Award.

Today’s short is Gigi from French director Cynthia Calvi, produced by Luc Camilli at Xbo Films and distributed by Miyu Distribution. The film earned its Oscar qualification by winning the juried animated short award at the New Orleans Film Festival.

Gigi details the intimate and poetic journey of a transgender woman, weaving together metaphors of water, mermaids, and transformation to evoke her struggles from childhood into early adulthood, her dreams, and, finally, the emergence of her true self. Charming storybook character designs and playful animation

What was it about this story or concept that connected with you and compelled you to direct the film?

I wanted to create a portrait of a woman who I believe is strong and inspiring: a woman who had to sacrifice a lot to flourish, but who ultimately has a happy ending. I immediately thought of looking for someone close to me, so I took a look at my friends. When making my films, I love to start with real-life stories. I also try to make films that are entertaining while conveying a message or addressing a social issue; it’s my way of combining the useful with the enjoyable.

What did you learn through the experience of making this film, either production-wise, filmmaking-wise, creatively, or about the subject matter?

Gigi is my first personal film that I’ve made professionally. To best support Gigi’s testimony, I spent several years researching gender dysphoria and trans identity. Making the film was a real eye-opener, giving me a deeper understanding of both the steps involved in fundraising and managing teams, in person and remotely.

Can you describe how you developed your visual approach to the film? Why did you settle on this style/technique?

Initially, I hadn’t set any artistic direction due to budget constraints. However, I was able to create as many designs as necessary at no extra cost, and the feedback emphasised the strong consistency with the film’s message. Now, my universe and my character design are inspired by our shared past with Gigi. This personal connection gives the aesthetic an authenticity that supports the narrative.

When it comes to animation, I prefer 2D. I love that it lets me be involved in as many stages of production as possible because I’m comfortable with those skills, ensuring visual and technical consistency throughout the process.

The character designs in this short are a lot of fun, playing around with fantasy, but also carry a heavy message. How did you settle on the mermaid visual metaphor for the film?

The idea of the mermaid came from talking to Gigi. She told me how she found herself identifying with female characters in films, mentioning Ariel from The Little Mermaid as an example of someone who felt out of place in the world around her. I looked more into this idea, examining the story it tells, and I realized that a mermaid could be a great way to show Gigi’s feelings. This helps the viewer to understand what she is feeling and imagine themselves in her story.